The H.J. Heinz Co. facility in Massillon received an early Christmas gift from the state today in the form of a tax break for an expansion project that will create local jobs.

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 65-percent, nine-year "job creation" tax credit for Heinz's expansion project, which is estimated to save the company $865,398. The tax credit is a performance-based credit, according to Stephanie Gostomski, a public information officer with the office of Ohio Gov. John Kasich, meaning its "actual value" is based on jobs created and new payroll tax generated.

Heinz is planning a $28 million expansion to its processing facility at 1301 Oberlin Road SW, an effort that aims to add 249 local manufacturing jobs over three years, beginning next year, and retain up to 450 existing positions.

Heinz processes frozen foods at the Massillon plant, and work to expand the facility could start as early as the end of the year.